The Grassland in the City – Saihan Tara
The grassland has always been a place I long for, so I took advantage of my adjusted annual leave to embark on a spontaneous trip...
The original plan was to visit Xilamuren Grassland and Kubuqi Desert, but since I hadn't booked a tour agency in advance, I only managed a rushed trip to Kubuqi Desert (details: Early Autumn Trip to Kubuqi Desert). The missed chance to see Xilamuren Grassland could only be made up for at the city grassland—Saihan Tara.
Saihan Tara is open to the public. In early autumn, it's still lush and green. Walking straight along the small road, you'll find an ovoo. From time to time, cyclists pass by on the road. To the left of the road is the grassland, to the right are lush trees and shops dappled in tree shadows, no noise at all. Stepping into Saihan Tara feels like entering a natural oxygen bar, far from worldly distractions. The crisp autumn air feels wonderful!
The ovoo is a place for blessings. If you have faith, you can pray and make wishes there—I always believe sincerity works. Right opposite the ovoo is a square and a sea of flowers. The square is bustling with life: graceful square-dancing troupes and some kind of public welfare organization activities, giving it a strong atmosphere of daily life. Cross the square and you enter a sea of flowers, filled with girls and aunties taking photos. Their smiling faces and the blooms create a scene of pure happiness.
Continue along the road, and you'll see elderly men flying kites. These kites look DIY, though I didn't ask for details. Most are eagle-shaped and fly high, all looking quite professional. Walking further brings you into close contact with the grassland. This season it's still fairly dense, with no end in sight. If there were horses and sheep grazing, I imagine it would be a completely different picture...
On the way back, I visited the sika deer. They are gentle and polite. I couldn't resist taking photos of them while they were eating grass. Perhaps they sensed I was taking pictures, and they would sit down—truly touching. You can even pet them; they stay tame and won't show any hostility. This might be one of the special charms of Saihan Tara.
